A South Sudanese-Australian basketball player who plays in the NBA and is known for his athleticism and defensive skills. He's one of the first players from South Sudan to play in the NBA.
Thon Maker is a name that echoes in the halls of basketball fame, known for being the first player to enter the NBA draft directly from high school since 2005, and the first African player to do so. This South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player has made waves in the sports world with his impressive skills on the court.
Born on February 25, 1997, in Wau, South Sudan, Maker's early life was marked by turmoil and struggle. His uncle, a local administrator, helped him, his younger brother, and his aunt escape the civil war to Uganda. From there, they were accepted as refugees by Australia and eventually settled in Perth, Western Australia when Maker was just five years old.
Maker's basketball career took off when he was discovered playing soccer in a Perth suburb by Edward Smith, an Australian of African-American heritage who helped children from migrant backgrounds receive opportunities they otherwise would not get. Smith offered to feed, clothe, and educate Maker in Sydney, where he played basketball for the St. George Basketball Association during 2011.
Maker attended two schools in Louisiana before finally settling down at Carlisle School in Martinsville, Virginia. During his freshman and sophomore years playing for Carlisle's varsity team, Maker averaged 22.2 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 4.5 blocks over a total of 53 games. As a sophomore, he earned 2013-2014 Gatorade Virginia Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors after leading Carlisle to a state championship.
In 2016, Maker was picked 10th overall in the NBA draft, making him the first high school player to be drafted in over a decade. He played for three different NBA teams between 2016 and 2021, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Maker currently plays for Al Riyadi Club Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League (LBL).
Maker's journey to success is a testament to his resilience and determination. He continues to inspire young athletes from diverse backgrounds, and his philanthropic efforts focus on providing opportunities for underprivileged children to access education and sports training.
As Maker continues to make his mark in the basketball world, his story serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance, hard work, and the importance of giving back to the community that supported him.
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